Consultation Hub

Consultation is the cornerstone of the Australian Building Codes Board's (ABCB) commitment to maintaining a contemporary and relevant National Construction Code (NCC). The consultation process also relates to our CodeMark Australia and WaterMark product certification schemes. This hub is a place for you to find and participate in consultations that interest you.

Consultations will be displayed below once available. Alternatively, you can search for consultations by keyword or interest.

Open consultations

  • Consultation Impact Analysis: Adequacy of Female Public Sanitary Facilities

    About the consultation The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has received multiple Proposals for Change (PFCs) expressing concern about the adequacy of NCC provisions for female sanitary facilities. Consequently, the ABCB is proposing Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Provisions for the next edition of the NCC, which will increase the number of closet pans for female patrons in Class 9b buildings – single auditorium theatres and cinemas. An analysis of the impacts...

    Closes 1 July 2024

  • Consultation Impact Analysis: Condensation mitigation measures

    About the consultation Condensation issues in buildings can lead to excessive moisture and mould growth, which can cause adverse health outcomes and building degradation. The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has been undertaking further work on provisions to mitigate condensation risks. This work builds upon the condensation mitigation provisions included in the 2019 and 2022 editions of the National Construction Code (NCC). The proposed technical...

    Closes 1 July 2024

  • Consultation Regulation Impact Statement - Waterproofing and water shedding provisions

    About the consultation Research has indicated that serious defects related to waterproofing are the most common defects in buildings compared to other areas, such as fire safety, building enclosures, structural integrity, and key services. A lack of Deemed-to-Satisfy (DTS) Provisions is considered to have contributed to problems, including poor design and documentation, a hit-and-miss approach to Performance Solutions, and sub-standard construction outcomes. In turn, these problems...

    Closes 1 July 2024

  • Consultation Regulation Impact Statement: Commercial energy efficiency provisions

    About the consultation The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) has been undertaking work to scope potential energy efficiency changes for commercial buildings in the next edition of the National Construction Code (NCC). The proposed provisions are included in the NCC public comment draft (PCD). An in-depth analysis of the impacts (both costs and benefits) of the proposed provisions is now open for comment. This analysis is presented in a Consultation...

    Closes 1 July 2024

  • National Construction Code 2025 Public Comment Draft

    About the consultation Have your say on proposed changes to the next edition of the National Construction Code (NCC). Your feedback is invited on the NCC 2025 Public Comment Draft (PCD) until Monday 1 July 2024. The NCC is updated every 3 years, based on required regulatory practices, industry research, public feedback provided and policy directions from governments to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) between publishing cycles. Updated content is included...

    Closes 1 July 2024

Closed consultations

WMTS:541-2024 | Public Comment Draft Round 1

Closed 18 April 2024

ABCB Water efficiency consultation document 2023

Closed 31 January 2024

WMTS:519-2023 | Public Comment Draft Round 1

Closed 10 November 2023

We Asked, You Said, We Did

Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes

We asked

A Consultation Regulation Impact Statement (RIS) was released for public comment between 20 September to 7 November 2021.

You said

Over 100 submissions were received. All submissions were taken into consideration by the ABCB.

We did

The Decision RIS was finalised taking account of the feedback on the Consultation RIS where appropriate. This was used as one input into the decision by Ministers to include the new residential energy efficiency provisions into NCC 2022.

We asked

The Building Confidence Report (BCR) Implementation Team asked for your feedback on installation, testing and certification of fire safety systems to improve building outcomes and compliance with the National Construction Code.

You said

We received 61 responses. Responses were received from industry associations, businesses, governments, educational institutions and individuals. Responses were positive and supportive of a nationally consistent approach to  installation, testing and certification of fire safety systems. There was strong support to ensure that work is only undertaken by registered practitioners.

We did

The BCR Implementation Team used your feedback to inform a model guide on Fire safety systems. The model guide was endorsed by Building Ministers and is available for state and territory consideration and implementation.

We asked

We asked for your input to a model guide on experience needed for building surveyor registration. The guide aims to help people obtain and prove they have experience of sufficient depth and breadth to be registered as a building surveyor. There is also a section for supervisors.

You said

You provided many good suggestions to improve the model guide. Views varied on how may experience reports were sufficient to prove experience, with suggestions ranging from none to around 50. Almost all submissions advised that a minimum number of work examples should not be required.  

We did

The BCR Implementation Team used your feedback to inform a model guide on Evidence of experience for building surveyor registration. The model guide was endorsed by Building Ministers for state and territory consideration and implementation. 

In the spirit of reconciliation the Australian Building Codes Board acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.